This book is a comprehensive survey of our scientific knowledge about human intelligence, written by a researcher who has spent more than 30 years studying the field. It takes a non-ideological view of a topic in which, too often, writings are dominated by a single theory or social viewpoint. The book discusses the conceptual status of intelligence as a collection of cognitive skills that include, but also go beyond, those skills evaluated by conventional tests; intelligence tests and their analysis; contemporary theories of intelligence; biological and social causes of intelligence; the importance of intelligence in social, industrial, and educational spheres; the role of intelligence in determining success in life, both inside and outside educational settings; and the nature and causes of variations in intelligence across age, gender, and racial and ethnic groups.

Considers the view that intelligence is determined by both biological and social causes

Frequent use of panels to present vignettes or historic discussions relevant to intelligence

Reviews & endorsements

"Earl Hunt has written a book that is deeply informed by a scholarly knowledge of the literature. No one in the field has written in a less partisan and less polemical manner. What impressed me greatly about the book is the extraordinary level of pedagogical skill that is apparent in his writing. He has an unusual ability to focus on the most important studies in the field and to summarize their essential features in a clear and compelling manner. This book will be accessible to many individuals with diverse backgrounds."
– Nathan Brody, Wesleyan University

“Hunt reviews the main topics in the field, from socially relevant and measurement-related affairs to brain research, the interplay between genes and environment, and even the delicate group differences in intelligence (age, sex, and race/ethnicity). Thoughtful discussions follow a clear presentation based on a revision of the available (and relevant) empirical evidence. The resulting text is vibrant, brilliant, and inspiring. Human Intelligence is a significant contribution to future generations. A new wave of intelligence researchers will stand on the shoulders of this giant book.”
– Roberto Colom, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

"An up-to-date, well-rounded, thoughtful, objective, readable book on one of the most interesting areas of psychology."
– Ian J. Deary, The University of Edinburgh

"....Reading the book is like taking a guided tour of the realm of human intelligence, with one of the field’s most distinguished elder statesmen as your guide.... If you are interested in the advances that have been made in the science of human intelligence over the past 100 years, this book offers an indispensable guide.... Human Intelligence is destined to become a classic of human intelligence.... In contrast to the many lightweight “pop psych” books written on human intelligence, Human Intelligence is a comprehensive book that examines major research and theory in human intelligence in a scientifically rigorous yet comprehensible way.... well written and clear.... Human Intelligence can be used as a textbook in an advanced undergraduate or graduate course in human cognitive ability. It would be useful to researchers and scholars in psychology and related fields, as well as general readers, who want to know what researchers and scholars in the field of human intelligence have been up to over the past 100+ years and where they are going. In short, if you are interested in the nature of human cognitive ability written by one of the field’s leaders, this book is for you."
– Richard E. Mayer, University of California, PsycCritiques

"....a compelling and readable overview of the empirical literature concerning human intelligence.... This book will be of interest to readers in all the social and behavioral sciences, not just psychology.... Recommended...."
--G. C. Gamst, University of La Verne, CHOICE

"....Earl Hunt has written a new book on intelligence, and it is a gem. Everyone who studies intelligence or wants to get a state-of-the-art view on virtually all facets of research on intelligence should read this book.... Importantly, the book is written at a level that can be read by undergraduates, graduate students, professional researchers, and the general public; in short, the book is written in an accessible style.... Another very positive aspect of the Hunt book is his ability to portray potentially difficult material – especially material that can raises hackles on all sides – in a fair and balanced way.... Anyone wishing to be informed on current theory and research on intelligence will want to read this book, and Hunt has given the field many things to ponder and dispute in the years to come. This book will certainly become a reference point for future work on intelligence."
--Keith F. Widaman, University of California, Davis, Intelligence

"Earl Hunt, a psychologist with more than 30 years' research study experience, offers a comprehensive survey of our scientific knowledge of human intelligence. He aims to give a non-ideological view, avoiding a focus on a single theory or social viewpoint. The conceptual status of intelligence is viewed as a collection of cognitive skills, some of which go beyond those evaluated by conventional intelligence tests."
--Times Higher Education

Look Inside

Author

Earl Hunt, University of WashingtonEarl Hunt is Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington, where he has been a faculty member since 1966. He has also taught at Yale University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Sydney, Australia. His other books include Concept Learning (1962), Experiments in Induction (1966), Artificial Intelligence (1975), Will We Be Smart Enough? (1995), Thoughts on Thought (2002), and The Mathematics of Behavior (2007). He has received the International Society for Intelligence Research's Lifetime Achievement award for his contributions to the study of intelligence.

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